Stronger Waitaki Economic Development Working Group
Blair Middlemass, Business Lending Specialist at ANZ joined us for the Stronger Waitaki Economic Development Working Group last Wed, 24th August with an update on business banking. Some key insights are below.
Oamaru is holding well compared to the financial variability seen in other parts.
Through Covid, people have stayed employed however we can expect to see people moving off shore again.
The key challenge locally is staff shortages and difficulty attracting people.
Banks shorter hours means more 0800 and website contact is on the increase.
CCCFA changes have put lending under more scrutiny, needing extra effort around disclosure and the need to protect vulnerable customers - this has slowed the speed of transactions.
Of importance for business customers is to be prepared to make an extra effort and to deal with product specialists rather than your (pre-Covid) go-to contact at your bank.
ANZ is also offering a range of FREE workshops and events to support business owners: from how to create a business plan for start-ups all the way to how to be an effective business leader and how to navigate cyber security and financial risks and everything in between.
Simply register for the workshop you’re interested in and attend online:
www.anz.co.nz/business/bizhub/workshops
Don’t forget that Digital Boost is also offering FREE training videos and Q&A sessions to help get your business online at digitalboost.business.govt.nz. Topics range from websites and social media to online productivity and accounting tools, e-marketing and much more.
The next Stronger Waitaki Economic Development Working Group will be on Wednesday 19th October. If you would like to attend and / or receive the minutes, please email the chairperson, Cara Tipping Smith at cara@thebusinesshive.co.nz.
